The Epic Tale of Chaos vs Order - Chapter 1407

Chapter 1407: Joining Elder Azure’s faction Chapter 1407: Joining Elder Azure’s faction Core Elder Azure smiled and nodded as she heard Cain’s question, finding it to be a perfectly logical inquiry.

According to the Anima’s understanding, Cain should know almost nothing about the Gu Contest, so it was only natural for him to seek clarifications.  “First of all,” she said, “the Gu Contest is a massive battle that will take place in one of the worlds orbiting the Everstrife Empyrean World.

The name of that world is Gu World, and it can be considered a Primary World because it can endure the destructive power of Divine Transcended life forms without trouble.

It even has the power to repel incursions from Third Realm life forms.” Cain stood across from her, listening intently.

While he had asked the question merely because it was expected of him-given that he was supposed to know very little-he found himself learning something new about Gu World.  In the vast Nine Empyrean Suns Universe, even worlds had classifications that determined their resilience and potential.

His memories, some stolen and pieced together, contained fragments of information on how worlds were typically grouped.

Tertiary Worlds were Seed Worlds that had just emerged from the World Forge.

They could not withstand the battles of truly powerful beings like Divine Transcendence Masters.

Primary Worlds, on the other hand, were far more stable and valuable, though they still fell short of an Empyrean World in grandeur and might.

Nonetheless, they commanded significant interest from powerful sects, as their worth was undeniable.

Cain let these memories drift through his thoughts for a moment before refocusing on Lady Azure.

“Before the Gu Contest even starts,” Lady Azure continued, “all factions will begin to strike at each other.

They’ll want to weaken the competition in order to gain the advantage inside the Gu World.” Cain’s eyes narrowed at that.

He sensed she was deliberately glossing over certain details, particularly those regarding the bloodthirsty nature of the contest.

He recognized that she was pivoting the conversation, possibly to hide the fact that there could only be one winner in the Gu Contest, and all the other would either die or suffer heavy blows to their cultivation.  Yet if she saw the realization in his eyes, she didn’t show it.

Her calm smile remained in place, and she pressed on.

“I want you to become part of my faction and use your hunting abilities to eliminate members of the other factions.” Even as she uttered those chilling words, that kind, almost maternal smile stayed fixed on her face.

She projected an aura of warmth, but Cain reminded himself that she was a Core Elder of a sect infamous for inciting infighting and bloodshed.

One did not rise to such a rank by being gentle and merciful.

Her outward demeanor was a mask, one she wore very well.

Cain stared at Lady Azure for a moment, letting her words settle in his mind.

At last, he spoke.

“You mentioned enemy factions.

Is it correct to assume you’re also targeting those from the light camps as well?” Lady Azure nodded without hesitation.

“That is right.

I assume that would not be a problem for you.” Cain’s reputation preceded him.

On his very first day, he had nearly killed people from both the light and dark camps.

That show of brutal efficiency had earned him a reputation as a wildcard-someone unconcerned about allegiances or consequences so long as he got what he wanted.

This was exactly why the Anima Core Elder was so interested in recruiting him.

She wanted someone capable of swift and ruthless elimination, unhindered by moral qualms about which side the victims might hail from.

Cain nodded in turn, staring straight into Lady Azure’s eyes.

“Since Lady Azure was so straightforward, I’ll be the same.

You’re very powerful, and your faction seems filled with wise and ambitious people.

I can see myself joining you.

However,” he paused, letting the moment draw out, “there is one question that remains.” He smiled, though there was a hint of challenge in his gaze.

“What is in it for me?” Lady Azure’s expression did not waver.

If anything, her smile widened, reflecting the greed she sensed in Cain’s eyes.

“By your feats in your hunting missions, I can tell that you are very powerful.

If you side with me now, I am willing to give you a High-Grade Fire Star Soul.” Immediately, Cain felt a spark of excitement flicker within him.

Star Souls were tremendously powerful treasures, especially for cultivators who followed the Star Sovereign Divine System.

That system centered on channeling the power of Astral Supremacy Stars to nurture and evolve one’s body.

The higher the Tier of the Star one could draw upon, the more potent the transformations and evolutions became.

Cain had managed to begin his path into the Star Sovereign Divine System by channeling the Tier 6 Blazing Celestial, but he was at the bottom of that Tier, and rising up would take a long time.

However, everything would change if he had a High-Grade Fire Star Soul.

That could drastically accelerate his development.

It would heighten his perception, refine his cultivation, and make it significantly easier for his soul force to tap into a Tier 7 Astral Supremacy Star.

Still, Cain was not one to accept blindly.

He eyed Lady Azure with a thoughtful expression.

“Core Elder, your generosity is extreme.

So much so that it makes me wonder if I can truly repay such a gift.” Without missing a beat, Lady Azure stared directly back into Cain’s eyes, her gentle smile unchanged.

“Your first target will be a Late Divine Transcendence Master.

I need you to find and kill him without allowing the man to contact his comrades and then bring me his heart and brain.” Cain remained silent for a few seconds, taken aback by how casually she gave such a horrific instruction.

Her voice never lost its warmth, yet the words themselves were steeped in blood.

However, he did not get distracted and soon considered the mission.

While he could indeed fight a Late Divine Transcended Master, it would likely require drawing upon his Fallen Archangel Battle Set.

And he was never too keen on revealing the true extent of his battle prowess to anyone.

Too many eyes were watching in a sect where betrayal could come from any corner.

“I am sorry, Elder,” he said carefully.

“I believe you might be overestimating my abilities.” Lady Azure, however, seemed unperturbed.

She gave a soft shake of her head as though soothing a child’s unfounded fears.

“Don’t worry, Elder Laurifer.

Though your target is indeed a Late Divine Transcended Master, he was severely wounded.

As of this moment, he is marching back into the sect.

If you intercept him before he can heal his wounds, I am sure you will have the power to finish him off and bring me what I want.” He let that thought settle, turning it over in his mind.

If the Late Divine Transcended Master was truly injured, it would be considerably safer for Cain to launch a swift ambush.

That way, he could maintain an element of secrecy regarding his full capabilities.

After a moment of silence, he nodded.

“If that is the case, I can do it.” “Then I take it Elder Laurifer is willing to join me?” “Yes, I am,” Cain said, his voice even.

At that, both he and Core Elder Azure exchanged the slightest hint of a handshake, though neither extended it for long.

Their eyes locked, each wearing a polite smile, but both fully aware of the underlying reality: there was no genuine trust between them.

This was neither a friendship nor a genuine alliance.

It was purely a business transaction.

“In here,” Lady Azure said, producing a space ring, “is your High-Grade Fire Star Soul, along with the information package on your target.

I hope we see each other again soon.” Her tone was light and friendly, but the subtle hint in her words was clear.

It was time for him to leave.

Cain did not linger.

He clasped his hands and gave a subtle bow toward the Anima.

“It was a pleasure to meet you, Elder.” He then turned around and began walking away.

His steps were calm and confident, but once he put enough distance between himself and Lady Azure’s presence, he allowed his expression to shift into a more pensive one.  “That woman.

I felt something odd about her.” Apex’s voice echoed in his mind, layered with a note of concern.

Cain thought about the brief handshake, that unblinking smile, and the calm way she spoke of murder and dismemberment.

He walked until he finally exited the castle, at which point he let out a small breath.

Only then did he respond to Apex.

“I used The Flow to analyze her emotions and intentions and detected nothing.

She is very powerful, and her cultivator borderlines the Third Realm, so it makes sense that she could shield her emotions, but I felt there was something else going on.

I don’t know.

But I have to be careful.”